Judge rules Canseco owes money to Feldman for fight no-show

Jose Canseco talking with reporters in this file photo. A celebrity boxing promoter has won a default judgment against Jose Canseco for breach of contract after the former major-league slugger instead sent his twin brother for the bout. Damon Feldman, of Broomall, won his complaint Wednesday after Canseco failed to show for his district court appearance. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)

MARPLE -- Boxing promoter Damon Feldman won a technical knockout over Jose Canseco today after the former major league slugger was a no-show at district court.

Magisterial District Judge John P. Capuzzi ordered Canseco to pay Feldman $6,500, plus attorney fees and court costs after Canseco failed to appear for a hearing in his court.

Feldman, of the Broomall section of Marple, was suing Canseco for $6,500 -- money the local promoter said was paid in advance to Canseco for a scheduled March 26 celebrity boxing match in Hollywood, Fla.

Feldman alleged in his lawsuit that that Canseco did not show for the fight, instead sending his twin brother in his place.

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According to Feldman, 125 fans had paid to see the fight.

But the match was canceled at the last minute when it was suspected that the man in the ring was not Canseco, but his identical twin brother Ozzie. According to Feldman, the fight contract states Canseco had to return the money advanced to him if he didn't compete. Feldman wanted his money back.

Canseco, who played most of his 17-year baseball career with the Oakland Athletics, had boxed actor Danny Bonaduce and former Philadelphia Eagles kick returner Vai Sikahema in past bouts for Feldman's Celebrity Boxing Federation.

Feldman said he advanced the money because Canseco told him he needed it for expenses related to his father's funeral.

Feldman filed the suit in Marple District Court since that's where Feldman claims he made the deal with Canseco.

A hearing on the lawsuit had originally been scheduled in May before Capuzzi, but it was continued after the judge learned Canseco had not been served with a subpoena to show up in court. Feldman was told he'd have to find a way to privately serve the baseball player-turned-celebrity boxer with the subpoena.

So he did.

Canseco was located in Tucson, Arizona, where he is a co-manager of the Tucson Toros, an independent minor league baseball team. He was served with the subpoena on the baseball field, according to Feldman's attorney Robert Bush.

He still did not show in Marple District Court on Wednesday morning.

With Canseco not present, Capuzzi ruled in favor of Feldman. He ordered Canseco to pay him the full amount, plus attorney fees and court costs.

Attempts to reach Canseco were unsuccessful.

Bush said his client was pleased with the outcome.

"We received a default judgment since Canseco did not show up, which was not a surprise," Bush said. "We will now go after Mr. Canseco in an attempt to collect on it."

Feldman said he advanced Canseco $5,000 and paid another $1,500 for the former MVP to fly himself to the event. Feldman refused to let Ozzie Canseco compete.

Feldman said the fight contract states Canseco had to return the money advanced to him if he didn't compete.

"I feel relieved, but now I have to go collect it," Feldman said. "He knows he was wrong. If he was right, he would have showed. I just wanted justice against this guy. I can't believe it."

Canseco has kept his name in the spotlight since boasting about how his steroid-fueled exploits helped him hit 462 career home runs. He competed this season on Donald Trump's television show, "The Celebrity Apprentice."

Canseco is also a player/manager for the Yuma Scorpions in the independent league.